About the project
According to the release, the grant will fund the reconstruction of the post-security skyway system at IAH to improve Americans with Disabilities Act access, and increase the efficient movement of passengers and baggage among the airport's five terminals. The grant will also fund the reconstruction of the existing terminal railway infrastructure between Terminals A and B—IAH's oldest terminals.
The funding source
The funding comes from the Airport Terminals Program, one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Per the release, the law provides $1 billion annually for five years for program grants. In total, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $25 million to modernize airport infrastructure across the U.S.
Quote of note
"As passenger demands continue to grow, Houston remains committed to delivering a world-class experience at every touchpoint," said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System, in a statement. "Thanks to the FAA, this $9.6 million helps us maintain a critical piece of infrastructure that speeds passengers through our terminals while creating good-paying jobs right here in Houston. We're proud to ensure that Bush Airport continues to serve as a gateway to the world by modernizing infrastructure that supports a safe and seamless journey for the passenger from curb to gate."
Some context
IAH's skyway upgrades are just one of 128 projects selected at 125 airports across the U.S. to receive a portion of the total $970 million in available federal funding.
Per the release, this grant is just the latest in a string of federal funding allocations made to the Houston Airport System over the past two years:
- March 2023: Nearly $10 million awarded for updates at IAH
- July 2023: $12 million awarded for sustainability projects at IAH and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
- November 2023: $40 million awarded to update the airfield at HOU
- December 2023: $30 million awarded to update Houston Fire Department facilities at IAH and HOU
- February 2024: $5.49 million awarded to IAH for restroom upgrades
The funding announcement comes on the heels of the opening of IAH's new Terminal D-West Pier on Oct. 22. As previously reported by Community Impact, the project is the second of three phases to be completed in the Houston Airport System's roughly $1.46 billion Terminal Redevelopment Program.
The final project in the program—the International Central Processor—is scheduled to be completed in two phases in 2025.
